As far as pure rucks go, none have been more prolific atop the NAB League Girls hitout charts than Western Jets tall Krystal Russell. While teammates Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham have attracted plenty of acclaim over the years, Russell has been the one providing them with first use as the competition's most dominant hitout specialist, averaging over 20 per game in the last two seasons combined.

The 180cm talent is one of those players who suits the 'master of one' moniker, with versatility an area she can expand on. Much of Russell's game can be summed up in arguably her best (and most important) passage of play this year. She popped up to kick the game-winning NAB League grand final goal; competing in the ruck contest, following up to win the bobbling ball at ground level, before booting it home with the last kick of the season.

At her best, Russell thrives primarily in the ruck but also uses her size and competitiveness to follow up and put heat on the contested ball. She may have timed the lone goal of her career perfectly, but the fact it came with her final disposal highlights how she can lift her overall production rate, to help each team she plays for away from the stoppages.

Further to that last point, Russell herself said during preseason that improving her running and kicking have been focus points upon linking with the Vic Metro squad. Doing so will allow her to work into better positions to mark around the ground and use her physical presence in different ways, or even impact as a rotating forward.

Overall, clubs will know what they are getting if they show faith in Russell. She competes and completes her primary role, with scope to add strings to her bow, especially against the ever-evolving talls at AFLW level. Being part of a premiership side helps, particularly when your final act in the team was to win the flag in the first place. There's a strong base to build upon.